U.S. Air Force Renewed Its NASCAR Partnership
With Richard Petty Motorsports

By
Steve Hall

February 5, 2013 - The Air Force renewed its
NASCAR partnership with Richard Petty
Motorsports and the No. 43 car with driver Aric
Almirola for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto
Racing (NASCAR) is a family-owned and operated
business venture that sanctions and governs
multiple auto racing sports events. NASCAR is
the largest sanctioning body of stock car racing
in the United States.

The three largest racing series sanctioned
by NASCAR are the Sprint Cup Series, the
Nationwide Series, and the Camping World Truck
Series.

"RPM's strong legacy in NASCAR and Almirola's
values and character are a great fit for the Air
Force and the type of recruits that we look to
attract through the sponsorship,” said Col.
Marcus Johnson, chief of the Strategic Marketing
Division at Air Force Recruiting Service.

"Our association with NASCAR and RPM is helping
us achieve our strategic goal of connecting with
the patriotic fan base and recruiting
technically inclined youth."

The Air Force is both a primary and associate
sponsor of the No. 43 car, driven by Almirola, a
28-year-old driver who was born on Eglin Air
Force Base, Fla., and whose father served in the
Air Force. As a primary sponsor, the car will
feature the Air Force paint scheme in two of 36
NASCAR points races this season.

"I'm really proud of how Richard Petty
Motorsports helps connect the Air Force with
race fans," Almirola said. "We go out to the Air
Force display and the swear-ins at the track,
and it's great to see people lined up wanting to
learn about the technology and the opportunities
available. It's a perfect partnership, really,
especially for me, having a life-long history
with the Air Force."

The Air Force will also continue its experiential
marketing activities at NASCAR events, air shows and
festivals throughout the year, taking the No. 43 U.S.
Air Force show car and "Hangar 43" interactive display
to environments where recruiters can connect with young
adults. It will also continue to hold swear-in
ceremonies of Airmen in the Delayed Entry Program at
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, giving fans an up-close,
in-person look at the moment when groups of young
Americans commit themselves to their country.